How To Propagate Moonstone Succulents (Quick & Easy Tips!)

Moonstone succulents are relatively easy to propagate and grow. If growing moonstone succulents interests you, here are some quick and easy tips for cultivating wide varieties for your plant collection. 

1. Use propagation techniques according to your cutting.
2. Avoid overwatering the succulent.
3. Provide ample sunlight.
4. Fertilize the plant once per month.
5. Identify and treat pests in a timely manner.
6. Consider planting the succulent outside.
7. Observe the moonstone succulent’s characteristics.

The moonstone succulent is easy to propagate, so you can have as many of these delightful plants as you want. Keep reading to learn some quick and easy tips for cultivating plant cuttings, growing moonstone succulents indoors and out, and enjoying their unique characteristics. Making sure your succulents don’t die is a critical skill to learn when caring for these plants.

1. Use Propagation Techniques According to Your Cutting

To get more moonstone succulents, you have two choices. When you don’t want to buy more plants, you can cultivate your own with leaf-cuttings or cut a portion of the plant to use for growing. Here is how to propagate moonstone succulents to add more of their uniquely-shaped leaves to your plant assortment.

Propagate Moonstone Succulents With Leaf-cuttings

Taking these steps to propagate the moonstone succulents can encourage new growth from moonstone leaf-cuttings.

1. Avoid watering the moonstone succulent for two or three days before cutting the leaves. In winter (the growth season for succulents), cut multiple leaves from the plant. 
2. Place on a paper towel and allow the leaves to dry for two or three days. Be sure to keep the leaves in a cool area. 
3. Place a leaf in silica sand and water it lightly. This type of sand has tiny pebbles, which allow for excellent drainage. 
4. Transfer the cutting plant to a regular pot when it has one-inch (2.5 cm) roots. For the new plants, you should use a well-draining cactus mix of coarse sand or pumice. 
5. Choose a shallow pot with at least a twelve-inch (30 cm) diameter. Because the moonstone can spread up to twelve inches (30 cm), this pot will prevent having to repot the plant as it grows to its mature size. 

Propagate Moonstone Succulents With a Plant Cutting

Cutting a portion of the Moonstone plant at the base is the most common way to propagate this interesting variety. Here is how to encourage new growth with a plant cutting:

1. Cut at the bottom of the succulent plant where it meets the soil or sand. 
2. Remove at least two to four leaves along with the stalk. 
3. Lay the stem on a paper towel to dry out for two or three days.
4. Add silica sand and potting soil to a small pot. 
5. Place the stalk into the sand and do not water it.
6. Keep the stem out of sunlight.
7. Assess the stem for roots and place it in a pot with a growing medium.
8. Care for the plant as usual after repotting. 

2. Avoid Overwatering the Succulent

Once you have propagated the moonstone succulent, it needs proper care to ensure it stays healthy and beautiful. Over-watering this plant will cause the roots to rot. The word succulent means swollen with water, as the moonstone holds water in its leaves. Here are some guidelines for moonstone succulents.

Watering the Moonstone Succulent 

The best method of watering the moonstone succulent is the “wet and dry” method. Soak the moonstone succulent when the soil is entirely dry to the touch. Let the soil dry out once more before watering again. Here are some other considerations when watering your plant.

• Over-watering can cause black spots on the leaves. 
• Avoid getting water on the leaves to keep from disturbing the lovely sheen.
• Be sure to plant your moonstone in a pot with a drainage hole. 
• Never let the plant sit in water. 

3. Provide Ample Sunlight

Moonstone succulents need ample sunlight–at least six hours per day. Your plant can grow in both sun and part shade. Bright, indirect light is best; placing them in a window where the light is bright but not directly on them would be ideal. Because the moonstone succulent can burn in direct sun, a west-facing window is ideal.

If you don’t have a window that receives proper light, you can use artificial light. Be careful not to place the moonstone succulent too close to the fluorescent light; this can burn the leaves. Check the soil often to ensure the plant does not need additional water.  

4. Fertilize the Plant Once Per Month

The moonstone succulent only needs fertilizer to feed the plant once per month. Using a liquid fertilizer diluted in a 1:4 ratio of fertilizer to water will keep the plant from getting burned by too strong fertilizer. 

If your moonstone succulent turns brown, stop using the fertilizer until the plant turns green again. 

5. Identify and Treat Pests in a Timely Manner

Your moonstone succulent can be susceptible to pests. To treat the following pests, use a diluted dish soap and water mixture in a 1:1 ratio. Place it in a spray bottle and spray the affected plant every three days. Here are some pests that can affect your moonstone.

• Spider mites. These are tiny, white bugs that leave a white residue on the plant branches.
• Mealybugs. These look like fine cotton in the joints of the branches.
• Leaf miners. These pests feed on the new growth and attack the newest leaves.
• Aphids. These look like yellow dots on the backs of the moonstone leaves.

6. Consider Planting the Succulent Outside

You can even plant gorgeous moonstone succulents outdoors in your garden. When you follow the outdoor planting recommendations, your moonstone succulent can add a touch of unexpected whimsy to your garden space.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind if you decide to plant your moonstone succulents outside:

• If your location gets very hot in the summer, plant the moonstone in an area of the garden that gets dappled sunlight. 
• Mix compost and coarse sand in a 1:1 ratio and position the moonstone there in the plant mix. 
• Water the moonstone only when the top of the soil feels completely dry to the touch. 
• Never let your succulents remain in standing water, as this will cause the roots to rot.
• Moonstone succulents grow in the winter and will need more water than in summer.
• Cover the succulent with a sheet or another protection when the temperatures fall below twenty degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees C).

5. Understand the Moonstone Succulent’s Characteristics

When it comes to caring for your plants, it’s essential to understand what a healthy plant of that particular species looks like. By understanding the characteristics of a healthy moonstone succulent, you’ll be able to notice if something goes amiss with your plant. 

The moonstone succulents are a popular plant choice for their egg-shaped leaves and pastel colors. This plant is native to Mexico and can thrive indoors and outdoors. The Latin name for moonstone is Pachyphytum oviferum, which means thick, plant-bearing eggs. 

This plant has some unique characteristics:

• The moonstone grows almost four inches (10 cm) tall and can spread almost twelve inches (30 cm). 
• Their white stems can grow up to fifteen leaves.
• The leaves can be pastel colors of yellow, pink, blue, and orange.
• They bear bell-shaped flowers in early spring.
• You can plant moonstones with other succulents for an eye-catching combination.
• The best time to repot the moonstone is in the early spring. 
• Winter is the growing season for the moonstone succulent.
• Moonstone succulents are known for their colors like the Red Beauty, Blue Giant, and Opalina. 

The moonstone succulent is slow-growing and can live for many years without much intervention. Here is a post we wrote about how long succulents can survive without water if you are interested.

Quick Summary Of Our Tips! 

Succulent plants are ideal for every plant lover, from the gardening beginner to the expert. Since they are drought-tolerant, they don’t need constant attention to thrive. The pretty shades of the moonstone succulent can make it seem like there are pastel eggs in your planter or garden.

Because moonstone succulents are easy to propagate from just one leaf, you can cultivate them and add this plant to other planters in your home, making them easy to share with friends and family.